Do you ever wish to find more than just bills in your mailbox? For many of us, “the great bill pile” stacks up on our kitchen tables while we sit by hoping “the mail fairy” shows up and whisks it all away. Frankly, I wish the mail fairy would swing by my mailbox before I […]
Category: Pastors/Church Ministry
Thick Glass
One of the realities of raising a neurologically disabled child is what I call “thick glass.” Thick glass is the clear yet mostly impenetrable divider between a parent’s unconditional love for his or her child and the child’s seeming total lack of response—that disheartening vacant look. Parents grieve behind thick glass, ever longing to touch […]
Depression: Part of the Journey
How many of you feel comfortable talking about depression? Better yet, do you share your convictions when someone else is vulnerable about being depressed? Let me start off by stating that depression can be a severe struggle for parents raising special-needs children. Depression can be indescribable, grievous, and debilitating. It’s not easy to talk about! […]
Am I Really That Important?
Some years ago, Chuck Swindoll desired to encourage the members of the Insight for Living board of directors, to express to them that their contribution to the ministry was significant. He quoted from an advertisement published in the Wall Street Journal. I offer it to you here because, from time to time, we all need […]
God’s Wonderful Work When We Are Weak
A Prayer Lord, do You ever feel worn out at the end of Your day? I know as truth that You’re not limited by space, time, or power. I also know my human capacity for endurance is weak. Lord, I need to know You are with me in everything. Jon’s struggles ebb and flow like […]
What We Need to Help Us through Trials
When you encounter people who are going through a trial, do you find yourself thinking: I really want to help them, but what do they need most? As human beings, we all need the following qualities in our lives to help us through our toughest times. Perhaps pastors and leaders can consider including this list […]
God Chooses Those He Uses
David began his life as a nobody—an ordinary shepherd boy—chosen by God to become a somebody—an extraordinary king over God’s own people. Yet, before David wore his crown, God shaped his character by allowing pain to be his close companion for over a decade. The presence of suffering made no sense to David at the […]
Easy Ways to Help a Family in Need
When families are dealing with special needs, many of the basic chores of everyday life go from humdrum to hassle. As your friends, neighbors, and church members care for family members with special needs, take some time out of your week to offer a helping hand. Here are several ideas: Offer to clean someone’s home […]
Ten Essential Characteristics of a Healing Church
Have you ever walked through your house at night in the dark and jammed your pinkie toe into the side of the sofa? That little toe, the one you never think about, is suddenly your primary focus as you jump up and down because it’s screaming in pain—and your whole body feels it. Amazing—one small […]